Postgraduate Scholarships and Bursaries

Magdalene offers financial support for postgraduate students through full and partial scholarships for both Master's and PhD students.

A number of scholarships are funded through the College’s endowments, while others are offered in partnership with external funding bodies. Some awards are limited to specific subjects or applicants from particular countries.

Magdalene offers the following studentships, scholarships, and bursaries for applicants starting their studies in the 2026-27 academic year.

Please contact postgraduates@magd.cam.ac.uk if you have any questions about eligibility or the application procedure.

Barbara Yu and Yen How Tai Scholarships

Two Barbara Yu and Yen How Tai Scholarships are available at Magdalene College, one for a PhD student and one for a Masters student. Both awards support academically outstanding Home students in the arts and humanities and some sciences (excluding physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, medicine and veterinary medicine, and the MBA, MCL and LLM). 

The scholarships are open to applicants from Magdalene College, Cambridge who have obtained, or have a strong prospect of obtaining, a First Class Honours Degree or its equivalent. 

The awards cover University composition fees (including College fees) and an annual maintenance stipend, adjusted based on the recipient’s other funding sources.

The recipient is required to provide a report to the donor on the completion of the course.

There is no separate application process; you are able to express an interest in the award at the time of making your application. All eligible applicants who apply by the relevant deadline will automatically be considered.

Leslie Wilson/Vice Chancellor's Awards (PhD)

Magdalene, in partnership with the Cambridge Trust, plans to award a full-cost PhD Scholarship (covering fees and maintenance) to a Home student in any field. Priority will be given to applicants who select Magdalene as their first-choice College.

There is no separate application process; you are able to express an interest in the award at the time of making your application. All eligible applicants who apply by the relevant deadline will automatically be considered.

The Professors Sir John Gurdon FRS and C. H. Lee PhD Studentship

This studentship supports one academically outstanding female UK PhD student from a low-income background studying medical or biological sciences. The award covers University composition fees (including College fees) and provides an annual maintenance stipend, adjusted based on any other funding received. Applicants should indicate their interest in their University postgraduate application, and those applying to Magdalene will be considered. The recipient must submit a brief annual report to the donor at the end of each academic year.

There is no separate application process; you are able to express an interest in the award at the time of making your application. All eligible applicants who apply by the relevant deadline will automatically be considered.

Senior Scholarship (PhD)

Magdalene undergraduates who achieve a First in their final year and continue their PhD studies at Magdalene are eligible for Senior Scholarships of up to £500 per year.

Duncan Robinson Curatorial Studentship

The Duncan Robinson Curatorial Studentship, worth £5,000, is available to a postgraduate student pursuing a course of study or research closely related to the visual arts. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in the curation or display of art and/or in developing a curatorial career. Preference may be given to students in the Department of History of Art or the Hamilton Kerr Institute. The recipient will assist the Gallery Registrar and Gallery Administrator with exhibitions as required by the terms of the role.

The Studentship is tenable at Magdalene College, and the successful candidate must either be a current member of the College or be willing to transfer.

For further details on eligibility, the role, terms and conditions, see the specification document below.

Moorman Scholarship (MPhil/PhD)

The Moorman Scholarship supports an academically outstanding postgraduate student pursuing an MPhil or PhD in the humanities, with a preference for philosophy, philosophy of science, or the history of science. It is open to applicants from the Caribbean, the United States, and the United Kingdom, with priority given to candidates from the following ethnic backgrounds: Black Caribbean, Mixed–White and Black Caribbean, Black African, and Black Other. The scholarship covers University composition fees (including College fees) and provides an annual maintenance stipend. The recipient will be selected by Magdalene College and must be a member of the College or willing to transfer.

There is no separate application process but you are able to express an interest in the award at the time of making your application. All eligible applicants who apply by the relevant deadline will be considered.

Jardine Foundation Scholarships (Masters/PhD)

Magdalene is one of four Cambridge Colleges that can recommend eligible students for a Jardine Foundation Graduate Scholarship. These full scholarships, covering University tuition, College fees, and maintenance costs, are available for most graduate degree courses of one, two, or three years. Applicants must be from certain countries in Southeast Asia, but there are no subject restrictions. 

Information and the application form for 2026 entry will be added early next year. In the meantime the 2025 entry documents are below for information.

Jardine Foundation General Postgraduate Criteria

Jardine Foundation Application Form

Clutton-Brock Scholarship (MPhil)

The Clutton-Brock Scholarship supports a postgraduate student from Zimbabwe pursuing a one-year master’s degree in any subject, with a focus on science, technology, and other areas of particular significance to Zimbabwe. The scholarship covers fees at the international rate.

There is no separate application process but you are able to express an interest in the award at the time of making your application. All eligible applicants who apply by the relevant deadline will be considered.

Lady Lincoln Music Scholarship (MPhil)

The Lady Lincoln Scholarship in Music offers up to two awards of £3,000 for UK students beginning the MPhil in Music in 2026. The scholarship is intended to support those who do not already have full postgraduate funding. It is tenable at Magdalene College.

There is no separate application process but you are able to express an interest in the award at the time of making your application. All eligible applicants who apply by the relevant deadline will be considered.

Magdalene - Cambridge Trust Masters Scholarships (MPhil)

Magdalene College, in partnership with the Cambridge Trust, offers a scholarship of £12,000 for UK a student commencing postgraduate study in 2025. There are no subject restrictions. Priority will be given to applicants who select Magdalene as their first-choice College.

There is no separate application process but you are able to express an interest in the award at the time of making your application. All eligible applicants who apply by the relevant deadline will be considered.

Mandela Magdalene Scholarship for South Africa (Masters)

The Mandela Magdalene Scholarship supports citizens or residents of South Africa undertaking a one-year master's degree at the University of Cambridge. Offered in partnership with the Cambridge Trust, the award covers fees at the international rate. Preference may be given to those studying subjects relevant to South Africa’s development. Applicants for the MBA and MFin programmes are not eligible.

There is no separate application process but you are able to express an interest in the award at the time of making your application. All eligible applicants who apply by the relevant deadline will be considered.

Roosevelt Scholarship (MPhil)

The Roosevelt Scholarship is awarded annually to a British or Canadian citizen undertaking an MPhil in a subject related to Anglo-American relations. The scholarship provides up to £11,000 towards maintenance costs.

There is no separate application process but you are able to express an interest in the award at the time of making your application. All eligible applicants who apply by the relevant deadline will be considered.

Postgraduate Student Research Fund

The Postgraduate Student Research Fund can provide financial support for conference trips or research data collection, subject to available funds. Applications must be approved before travel, and students with outstanding College bills are not eligible. Further details and application procedures are available from your Tutor or the Academic Office.

Postgraduates living in College accommodation may also be eligible for a rent rebate when away on research trips lasting more than two weeks. Applicants must follow the University’s guidance on working away from Cambridge before applying.

To apply for funding or a rent rebate, complete and return the relevant form to the Academic Office.

Postgraduate Student Research Fund Application Form

Hardship Fund

The College has a Student Support Fund to provide help to students facing significant and unforeseen financial hardship.

Applications should be made via your Tutor.

Ariyarathenam Fund for Medical Students

Dr Arun Ariyarathenam MA MB BChir (Cantab) FRCS (1998), a Magdalene graduate in clinical medicine, specialises in Bariatric and Oesophago-Gastric Cancer surgery at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Thanks to his generosity, the College has established a fund to assist medical students facing financial hardship and to support a limited number of Year 5 student electives.

Applications for funding for student electives open in Lent Term and should be applied for through the application form for summer funding.

Applications for support from this fund are made via your Tutor.

In addition to the funds specific to Magdalene students, there are many external funding bodies that have awarded significant financial support to our postgraduate students over the years. Organisations that have provided funding to a considerable number of Magdalene graduate students in recent years include:

Cambridge-based

• The Gates Cambridge Trust
• The Cambridge Bursary Scheme
• The Cambridge Trust
• Cambridge Graduate Funding Competition

Other sources of postgraduate funding can be found via the Cambridge Funding Search.

External

• External funding and loans

US loans

Information on applying for a Federal Loan to study at the University of Cambridge.

• US loans | Cambridge students